8. THE POWER OF LOVE
Marcus' mind raced as he tried to think of the best way to get the red stone from the Asian coven. The four sisters continued their melodies and dance. Before Marcus could even decide what to do, Corin moved into action.
He jumped forward from his seat on the floor next to Marcus and ran nearly as fast as the speed of light to the jade phoenix. He jumped over Kajimi and slammed his body into the gong, making it topple over past the ledge of their wall-less home and smash into the rocks below. The jade cracked and shattered like glass, releasing the hold on the red stone. Just as Corin was able to grab the stone, a giant gust of wind hit Corin, making him fly up and backwards. His back slammed against the wooden floor, making the boards bust beneath him. It was Tien who was controlling the wind that made this happen.
As Corin's body slid across the broken floorboards, he passed Marcus and slipped the stone to him. Marcus jumped to his feet and tried to make a run for it. Just as he reached the front steps of the home, a tunnel of water shot at his chest with the impact that a fire hose on full blast would have on a small child. It made him fly backwards. Jaidee was pulling water up from the reservoir below to make this happen.
Instead of fighting against the water and the wind, Marcus and Corin went out the other way in the direction they were being forced. They jumped down from the floor of the home onto the mountain and started running downhill. Suddenly the earth shook terribly hard and a giant ravine opened up and swallowed them whole. The fall was long and they hit the bottom with a thud. It was a prison made by An-Mei. They started scrambling up the walls trying to escape when the four sisters appeared at the ledge of the ravine looking down on them with angry expressions.
Kajimi snapped both her hands at her sides, flicking her wrists. With that motion, a burning flame appeared in either hand. She pulled her hands back, ready to hurl the fire at Corin and Marcus. They had no tolerance for thieves.
"Wait!" Corin shouted.
Kajimi's eye's danced like red fire. "You have destroyed our phoenix and you have tried to steal our sun. You must be punished." With that, she hurled her hands in their direction and the flames left her palms, running straight towards them. Kajimi planned to make the flames explode once they hit the two men so that it would completely engulf them in flames.
As the fire approached, ready to destroy them, Corin yelled out "BUT WE DID IT FOR LOVE!" Corin pulled his face back and buried it against his shoulder while Marcus crossed his arms over his face. They were braced for the impact but nothing happened. Slowly, the two men stopped cringing and looked up. The fire was suspended in the air, only inches away from them.
Suddenly the earth began to shake heavily again as it pushed them up like an elevator. The fire remained suspended above them, keeping its distance yet still posing a threat. When they were brought up to the level that the sisters were on, the earth stopped trembling.
"Love?" Kajimi asked.
"Yes." Marcus answered her. "Centuries ago Aro killed the love of my existence, Didyme. I have just learned how I might be able to get her back but it requires the use of this stone." Marcus held out the smooth red object. "Please⦠she's all I have." Marcus whispered.
The four sisters looked at each other and exchanged glances. To Marcus and Corin's surprise, the Asian coven started smiling.
"Well why didn't you say it was for love?" Jaidee asked with a giggle.
"Oh yes, please tell me, was Didyme beautiful?" An-Mei asked as if she were anticipating a bed time story.
Marcus smiled. "Yes she was. She's the most beautiful thing I have ever seen."
The girls giggled some more. "Did she have a talent?" Tien asked.
"Yes," Marcus answered, "She had an aura of happiness about her that made others love her. But even without her gift, I would have loved her anyway."
"Awww!" The girls said in unison. "That is so sweet!"
Kajimi traced her fingers along the red stone that was resting in Marcus' open palm. Then she pushed his fingers closed around it. "Take it Marcus. You have our blessing."
Marcus was grateful for their understanding. "Thank you so much. You have no idea what this means to me."
Jaidee sighed as she looked Corin up and down. "I wonder when I'll ever fall in love."
"You're too nasty to love!" An-Mei teased. The girls ran off chasing after each other, all except for Kajimi.
"Don't mind them. We've been alone together for centuries now so whenever males come around the girls get excited. They have longed to find their soul mates but it seems that we sisters are doomed to only keep each other company. Who knows, perhaps one day we shall all be as lucky as you." Kajimi smiled.
Corin laughed. "Maybe we should start a vampire dating service. I've got a few friends back home that are single. Although I'm not sure if Felix or Demetri could keep up with you guys." He winked at her.
Kajimi laughed because she knew it was true. What man would not be intimidated by such powerful women? "Good luck Marcus." She wished him.
"Thanks. I'll need it." He hugged her goodbye and then he and Corin raced back down to the base of the mountain. They made their way back to the rental car and drove to the airport. They boarded their jet and took off. Marcus chose to sit in the back this time. Again he pulled out all of the contents that he would need for the upcoming journey. He examined each item carefully and individually. He really hoped that Aro had been telling the truth about all of this.
After another long flight they finally landed on The Big Island of Hawaii. Luckily the sun had already set when they landed so that they could move about easily in the tropical place undetected. The humidity was felt as soon as the two of them stepped off the plane. They were instantly greeted with the aroma of fresh island flowers, such as plumerias, hibiscus, and tuber rose. The airport halls were lined with flower shops selling leis, this was the source of the intoxicating scent. The airport was filled with an equal mix of locals and tourists. Corin went ahead and made the arrangements for a rental car. When everything was all set, they began their drive and headed for Mauna Kea.
They drove up the road that would take them to the top of the dormant volcano. Once on top they could see a turn off to an observatory. They truly were high in the sky, even above the clouds. It was a clear night and the stars were shining brightly. It would have been a perfect night to be in the observatory looking at the stars.
The road did not take them directly to the lake, Waiau, so Corin had to park while they walked the rest of the way. The air was thin up here; it would have been harder for a human to breathe. In the light of the moon they noticed the silversword plant. It was a low lying bush that looked as if its blades were made of silver. They were the only plants that could survive at this elevation. The terrain was rough and rocky from the volcanic activity over the centuries. Finally, the light of the moon reflected against the cool glassy waters of the lake.
"We're here." Marcus whispered.
They walked up to the water's edge. It was perfectly still. Marcus reached into his pockets and pulled out the three colored stones. He rubbed his fingers against their smooth surfaces one last time.
He looked at Corin and took a deep breath. "Well, here goes." One at a time, he took the stones and hurled them into the middle of the lake. With each break through the surface a sudden ring of waves rippled out from the center, eventually coming back and lapping at the shore. After all the stones had been thrown, they waited.
After a while, the waters went still again. Nothing happened. Marcus' chest could feel a tightening fear grip his dead heart. Had Aro lied?
